Concepts And Practices Of Islam

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The Muslims fought many wars with Quraish and the other tribes to defend themselves and the state of Madina. The major battles are,

In the second year of migration (2 Hijri), the Quraish of Mecca with the encouragement of other Arabian tribes sent a powerful army against the Muslims, who opposed them at Badr which is situated 160-km southwest of Madina.

The Muslim army was consisting of 313 to 317 men with two horses and 70 camels, on the contrary Quraish army was consisting of 1000 men with 100 horses, 600 armors, and many camels. In the battle 70 men were killed among the Quraish’s army, and 70 were captured, where as only 14 of the Muslims were killed. The result of the battle was a great victory for the Muslims over their enemy. The pagans thrice as numerous as the Muslims, were routed.

The reason for this battle was that Quraish wanted to avenge their tribesmen who were killed in the battle of Badr. After a year of preparation, the Meccans again invaded Madina to avenge the defeat of Badr. It was in the third year of migration (3 Hijri) near mount "Uhud", which was few kilometers to the north of Madina.

The Muslim force was 700 men, two horses, 100 armors and 50 men of the Muslim army were archers. Quraish force was 3000 men, 200 horses, and 700 armors. They were now four times as numerous as the Muslims.

In this battle Muslims lost 70 men while Quraish lost only 22 men. The main reason for the Muslim’s so much loss was, that Muslim archers deserted their posts after sensing victory.

After a bloody encounter at "Uhud", the enemy retired, the issue being indecisive. The mercenaries in the Meccan army did not want to take too much risk, or endanger their safety.

The Quraish and other tribes formed a major alliance to eliminate the Muslims once and for all. These joint forces led by Abu Sufyan arrived in the suburbs of Madina. The battle took place in the fifth year of migration (5 Hijri) and the location was Madina itself. According to their defense strategy the Muslims dug the trenches around the city of Madina for it’s protection. The strategy of trenches was used for the first time in the region, that is why the battle is known as "Battle of the Trenches".

The alliance force were comprising of 10,000 soldiers, where the Muslim force was comprising of 3,000 soldiers. The Muslims were surrounded by the alliance forces. In the battle seven Muslims laid down their lives while they killed four men of the alliance forces.

In a cold and cloudy night during the battle, a violent hurricane from the desert uprooted the tents and overthrew the cooking pots of alliance forces. The severe weather, sent by the God, disheartened the enemy. The battle resulted in utter defeat for the Quraish-led alliance under Abu Sufyan and a complete triumph for the Muslims under the Great Prophet.

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah’s favor unto you when there came against you hosts and we sent against them a great wind and hosts ye could not see. And Allah is ever Seer of what ye do," ( 33:9)

"And Allah repulsed the disbelievers in their wrath; they gained no good. Allah averted their back from the believers. Allah is strong, Mighty." (33:25)